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Vending Machine for Coaches
A BRIGHT idea has been developed by Henry " Peter of London (Confectibnery), Ltd., Heath Works, 6 Park End, South Hill Park, London, N.W.3. This is to equip coaches, as well as their stations, with small vending machines for such things as cigarettes and sweets.
Their single-column cigarette machine carries 23 packets of 10 of the normal size, or 26 packets of the smaller variety, and weighs only 23 lb., the overall dimensions being, height 30 in., width 5+ in., depth 5 in. The construction is substantial in welded coldrolled steel and the coin selector unit tests for size, weight, magnetic properties, deformation and milling. This machine, which costs £20, can be banked in multiples according to the space available. It carries a three-months' guarantee and all-risks insurance, and the latter can be extended for as little as 2s. 6d. a year.
Solving the Multi-fuel Problem . . .
MUCH thought has been given to the solution of
the problem of employing a variety of fuels in a single engine. For a long time the oil engine was not looked upon favourably where there might be a danger of oil-fuel shortage in some parts of the world, particularly in the event of war. It has already been shown that a reasonable amount of dilution of oil with fuels having lower boiling points can give fairly satisfactory results, but this is not the complete answer.
The M.A.N. designers have, however, developed a Multi-fuel engine for which excellent results are claimed. To prevent violent knocking, the fuel is A28 not injected directly into the air charge but is sprayed on to the wall of the combustion chamber, where the cooling effect permits it to remain during the ignition lag without any significant formation of vapour. Only after this does vaporization increase rapidly, thus combustion starts " softly " without detonation or excessive vibration.
Other modifications, compared with the normal M.A.N. oil engine, are to increase the compression ratio from 1 to 17 to 1 to 19, raise-the pressure of the fuel feed pump and automatically lubricate the injection pump.
Without requiring ignition agents the fuels can range from oil of S.A.E. 10 viscosity to petrol of 80-86 octane, without Diesel knock and giving engine peak rating at 2,000 r.p.m.
Russian Production and Workers
iT is interesting to follow the trend of commercial'. vehicle production in other countries and recent figures from the U.S.S.R., for instance, show that in 1956, the number of motor lorries manufactured was 358,000, a rise of 9 per cent. on the number for the previous year. New buses numbered 9,000, an increase of 8 per cent., and trolleybuses 380, or six per cent. Motor graders, numbered 1,646, a striking increase of 62 per cent.
The number of motor tyres manufactured rose by 11 per cent. to 11.3m., and ball and roller bearings by 20 per cent. to 263m.
Incidentally, the number of factor); and office workers in the whole U.S.S.R. economy rose to 50m., whilst 650,000 qualified workers passed out of technical and vacational colleges.
Meeting Demand for Adhesives
INCREASING demands on the Boston and Bostik products of the B.B. Chemical Co., Ltd., of Leicester, coming from both home and overseas, made it essential to build rapidly a new administrative headquarters.
Speed was essential and the chairman and managing director, Mr. Donald Cameron, called a meeting of architects and others concerned and gave a directive that the building must be erected ready for staffing in one year from the time the first foundations were laid. The result was seen on March 25 by many visitors, when the opening was performed by Mr. Claud Bennion, chairman of the British United Shoe Machinery Co., Ltd.
Many problems, such as water-logged ground, had to be solved, but the office block is a remarkable example of modern building techniques, including double-glazed windows, suspended ceilings in some parts, excellent natural and artificial lighting, cork floor tiling, a most artistic decor and accommodation for 180 staff.
During a short tour of the works, many vlsitors expressed surprise at their large area and the great
variety of processes and products. Over 2,000 formulx are in use, involving more than 1,000 different raw materials obtained from many parts of the world, and 20,000 containers of all types are filled during every day of the working week.
Bostik adhesives and sealing compounds take pride of place, but other products include equipment for "moth-balling" and sealing strip. In fact varieties are used in almost every industry.
Heavies on Air Cushions
WHAT appear to be the first heavy articulated vehicles in the world to have air cushions as a method of suspension are now in production and rolling off the final assembly line of the G.M.C. division of General Motors of America at Pontiac, Mich. Their springs are described as "rubberized bellows."
These new trucks also have turbocharged oil engines and aluminium cabs and whilst built for gross weights up to nearly 30 tons they are claimed to be some 5 cwt. lighter unladen than competitive models in the same classification.
The new suspension is said to provide greater payload capacity, obviate spring repairs and lubrication, reduce breakages in the case of fragile loads, and permit lighter packaging.
The division has alai announced new engines for the heavier vehicles, including tWo of V.8 construction developing 208 and 232 b.h.p. respectively.